A total of 26 projects received funding through the EDI Opportunity Fund during 2022-23 academic year when it was launched. Students, faculty and staff who led various initiatives to help remove systemic barriers on campus were recognized at a special event on October 17, 2023.

The Fall 2023 Leaders' Dialogue was all about MRU's new University Strategic Plan. Academic and Executive leaders were featured on a panel to highlight how all areas of the university will work together to achieve each goal.

MRU recognized the signing of Treaty 7 on September 22, 2023, and raised the Survivors' Flag to honour residential school survivors at the Amphitheatre with Elders, students and employees.  

 

Minister of Advanced Education, Rajan Sawhney was welcomed to campus on September 11, 2023. The visit included a tour of MRU's specialized spaces. 

Students and employees, including members of the Executive team, were out showing their pride at the annual parade in downtown Calgary on September 3, 2023.

The Dr. John H. Garden Memorial Park serves as a beautiful venue that honours the lives of MRU community members and their loved ones. Former student Dasha Bosyy spoke about the impact a memorial scholarship or bursary can have on the success of our students.

 

MRU was proud to see more than 2,200 graduates complete degrees and diplomas this academic year — one of the largest graduating classes ever. From May 30 to June 2, 2023, six ceremonies celebrated Mount Royal’s newest alumni, who were joined by their supportive friends and family and cheered on by faculty members and employees. 

It doesn’t take much to get MRU employees outside on a beautiful day but cold drinks, candy stations and outdoor games were an added bonus at the Summer Block Party on June 8.

The Honourable Omar Alghabra, PC, MP, Minister of Transport Canada stopped by to learn how MRU’s aviation program is creating highly-skilled graduates to fulfill the growing needs of the aviation industry in Canada.

MRU hosted an event with Black professionals in leadership positions on February 28 to discuss challenges and opportunities for future Black executives. I am thankful to keynote speaker Deputy Minister Ako Ufodike, the panelists, and BIPOC Support Network for coordinating the occasion.

I have been making my rounds to faculty council meetings this year. My goal is to attend at least one meeting for each faculty throughout this academic year, which I have now done. I had the pleasure of attending the Arts council meeting on February 10 where I got a sense of what's top of mind for faculty and staff.

I was honoured to be included in a ceremony on February 2 that officially “received” Provost Chad London onto Blackfoot territory. Everyone was moved by thoughtful remarks shared by Dr. Airini, USask Provost and Vice-President, Academic and others from USask who participated virtually to “send” Chad to MRU.

I had a blast cheering on the Cougars at Crowchild Classic on January 27. It is an annual tradition and incredible celebration of varsity sport played in front of the largest gathering of university students in the city. Many thanks to the Calgary Flames, the Flames Foundation and the University of Calgary for helping make this happen each year.  

That’s a wrap on the second Leaders’ Dialogue of the year! The spotlight was on outgoing Interim Provost Elizabeth Evans and MRU’s new Provost Chad London. Thank you to all employees (in-person and online) who helped us celebrate and welcome two fantastic leaders.

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Holiday Mix and Mingle on November 30 - a festive event for the fantastic employees we have at Mount Royal. It was great to catch up with colleagues I don’t see as often and wish everyone well before the winter break.

Mount Royal alumnus Doug Dirks donates $50,000 on Giving Day 2022 held on November 29. This generous donation will create a new annual Doug Dirks Journalism Award that will support a third or fourth-year Journalism student. Thank you, Doug! 

It remains an honour to be a part of the MRU installation of Field of Crosses. Thank you to everyone who joined us on October 27 and to the McCann Family Foundation and Field of Crosses Memorial Project for making it all possible.

It was a pleasure to join MRU employees and the professionals at Zoom painting on August 30 in the repainting of MRU's Pride crosswalk to incorporate a more inclusive design. A big THANK YOU to everyone who came to help out. Happy Pride Week!

What a day! I had a blast enjoying ice cream and beautiful weather with MRU employees at the East Gate Social on August 22. Thank you to the mighty team that planned and helped out at the event, and everyone who joined in the fun.

Director, Student Success & Learning Services, Alena Boczek (left) and Safe Disclosure Advisor, Feden Abeda (right) did a fantastic job taking the lead on stage as emcees at new student orientation on September 6. A warm welcome to all #New2MRU students starting this fall.